Do you like being old?
As I’ve aged, I’ve become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own friend..
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood
the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM or sleep
until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70’s, and if I,
at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive
into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the
jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.
And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break
when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody’s
beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and
understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and
will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to
have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.
So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn
silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other
people think. I don’t question myself anymore..
I’ve even earned the right to be wrong.
So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I
have become. I am not going to live forever,but while I am still here, I will not waste
time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall
eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).